Belgrade in Black-and-White

In Tbilisi, it was necessary for me to shoot in black-and-white in order to discover the city’s mysterious spirit and offbeat charm.

I shot monochrome in Belgrade for a very different reason—I  didn’t have enough color film.

My supplies were limited, and I knew I would need the color film when I got to Montenegro—those blue mountains and turquoise waters and red-roofed houses cried out for full color. That left me with an excess of black-and-white to use in Serbia.

So I explored Belgrade in black-and-white. Monochrome lets you see the world from a different perspective, and I embraced the challenge. Through my lens, I discovered a city simultaneously modern and historical, where the Cyrillic script coexists with the street art and the majestic buildings crumble ever so slightly. There’s something majestic and classic about Belgrade, despite the obvious decay. The monochromatic city I shot is regal and gritty, angular and funky, and very much alive.

Limitations can be creatively invigorating. With only black-and-white film to shoot, I ended up capturing a classic view of Belgrade that wouldn’t have necessarily come through on color film. It’s one of the reasons I continue to shoot analog—the medium is full of mysteries, and full of unexpected rewards.